Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing

YouTube - www.youtube.com/c/JonathanGreeneRE/videos

Instagram - www.instagram.com/streamlinedproperties

Bigger Pockets - www.biggerpockets.com/users/TrustGreene

Episode Credits

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282: Building Strategic Partnerships in Commercial Real Estate Investments with John Azar Oct 02, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan Greene speaks with John Azar of Peak 15 Capital about the power of strategic partnerships in commercial real estate. John shares his experience in structuring co-GP deals, managing multifamily funds, and creating opportunities that enable investors to scale their portfolios while minimizing operational involvement. He emphasizes the importance of selecting the right partner, practicing conservative underwriting, and leveraging expertise to optimize long-term returns.

John and Jonathan explore the benefits of fund investments versus individual syndications. John explains how a diversified "bin" of assets, such as multifamily properties, industrial properties, and car washes, provides stability, access to multiple cash flow streams, and peace of mind for investors seeking smart, passive income. They also discuss how fund structures offer investors tangible exposure to real estate assets while minimizing the need for active property management.

The conversation highlights the tangible nature of real estate compared to stocks or bonds. Investors can visit properties, evaluate assets in person, and see the land and buildings they're backing. This hands-on approach enables investors to make informed decisions, understand the true value of the assets, and trust their operators to execute effectively. Both Jonathan and John stress how real estate provides optionality and flexibility, making it a unique asset class for long-term wealth building.

When evaluating deals, John emphasizes the importance of both people and numbers. Peak 15 Capital adopts a conservative underwriting approach, carefully analyzing rent growth, cap rates, and funding plans to avoid overly optimistic assumptions. John also notes the role of intuition and in-person meetings when selecting partners, advising investors to pass on deals that don't feel right, even if the projected returns appear attractive.

Finally, John introduces Peak 15 Capital's multifamily accelerator course, which guides investors through every stage of multifamily investing, from identification and acquisition to management and disposition. The course blends Mom-and-Pop fundraising strategies with institutional-level insights, preparing investors to grow in the multifamily sector and scale their portfolios strategically.

In this episode, you will hear:

Starting in large scale development before moving into multifamily
Advantages of diversified fund investments versus one-off syndications
Lessons from the 2008 recession and relaunching in the southeast
How real estate's tangible nature provides confidence and flexibility for investors
Key criteria for deal evaluation: assumptions, underwriting, and partner selection
The benefits of co-GP structures for leveraging capital and control
Importance of reserves and time in weathering market downturns
How the Peak 15 Capital multifamily accelerator course prepares investors for full-cycle investing

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Supporting Resources:

Peak 15 Capital website - www.peak15cap.com

John Azar's Instagram - www.instagram.com/jjazar

Connect with John on LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/jalalazar

YouTube - www.youtube.com/c/JonathanGreeneRE/videos

Instagram - www.instagram.com/streamlinedproperties

Bigger Pockets - www.biggerpockets.com/users/TrustGreene

Episode Credits

281: Securing Your New Life Abroad Using Expat Money with Mikkel Thorup Sep 29, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan welcomes Mikkel Thorup, founder and CEO of Expat Money, a consultancy helping clients navigate second residencies, international investments, and asset diversification. Known as one of the world's most sought-after expat consultants, Mikkel has lived in nine countries over 25 years and built a portfolio of properties across ten nations. His work focuses on mitigating tax liabilities, creating Plan B options through residency and citizenship, and guiding investors toward secure and profitable opportunities abroad.

Jonathan and Mikkel explore how global real estate investing intersects with lifestyle choices, risk mitigation, and long-term legacy planning. Mikkel shares how his early exposure to real estate through his family shaped his investment philosophy, why he avoids debt-heavy strategies, and how he structures group deals to reduce developer risk. He also breaks down the benefits of international diversification, not just in geography, but also in currencies, timelines, and property types.

The conversation extends beyond investment mechanics to the lifestyle and generational advantages of expat living, including multi-citizenship for children, cultural exposure, and community building. Mikkel emphasizes the importance of boots-on-the-ground research, building trust with developers and governments, and striking a balance between adventure and security.

This episode provides a roadmap for investors who want to align real estate with global mobility, family resilience, and financial independence.

In this episode, you will hear:

Mikkel's journey from leaving school at 12 to becoming a leading global expat consultant
The role of early family exposure to real estate in shaping his investment path
Why he focuses on pre-construction and cash buying instead of debt-driven strategies
How group purchasing reduces risk in international development projects
The benefits of second residencies and citizenship as a long-term family legacy
Currency diversification and geopolitical monitoring as part of global investing
Structuring investments for both cash flow and capital appreciation abroad
The importance of investor tours, trust, and seeing projects firsthand
Top markets currently friendly to foreign investors: Costa Rica, Panama, and Paraguay

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Supporting Resources:

Expat Money website - expatmoney.com

Expat Money on YouTube - expatmoneyshow.com/youtube

Expat Money's Facebook - expatmoneyshow.com/facebook

Find Expat Money on Instagram - www.instagram.com/expatmoneyshow

Connect with Expat Money on LinkedIn - expatmoneyshow.com/linkedin

Expat Money on X - expatmoneyshow.com/twitter

Expat Money Summit - expatmoneysummit.com

YouTube - www.youtube.com/c/JonathanGreeneRE/videos

Instagram - www.instagram.com/streamlinedproperties

Bigger Pockets - www.biggerpockets.com/users/TrustGreene

Episode Credits

280: How Real Estate Investing Can Change Communities with Joe Killinger Sep 25, 2025

Show notes

Real estate isn't just about properties and profits. It's also about the communities shaped by every investment.

In this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan welcomes seasoned investor, broker, and entrepreneur Joe Killinger. With more than 30 years of experience spanning auctions, multifamily, single-tenant net leases, and commercial brokerage, Joe shares how his career progressed from cold calling foreclosure properties to developing programs that revitalized neighborhoods.

Joe reflects on his early lessons from the auction world, the value of boots-on-the-ground research, and how thorough due diligence separates winning deals from costly mistakes. He also highlights an innovative program that placed teachers in apartment buildings, providing kids with tutoring while improving retention and reducing property damage. Today, he continues to shape communities through Commercial Brokers International and Icon Capital Advisors while raising a fund dedicated to single-tenant net lease investments.

For investors at every level, Joe's journey shows how financial success and community impact can grow together.

In this episode, you will hear:

Starting small and learning from each investment, even the tough ones
Building local knowledge and getting boots on the ground for long-term success
Using mentorship and consistent education to scale a business
Creating community-focused programs that strengthen tenant relationships
Lessons from multifamily operations that led to a passion for triple-net leases
Combining digital marketing with relationship-building in commercial real estate
Choosing the right brokerage through training, mentoring, and due diligence

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Supporting Resources:

Joe Killinger's website - www.joekillinger.co

Joe's YouTube channel - www.youtube.com/@JoeKillinger

Find Joe on Facebook - www.facebook.com/JoeKillinger1

Joe's Instagram - www.instagram.com/joekillinger

Connect with Joe on LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/joe-killingerrealestate

Joe Killinger on X - x.com/JoeKillinger

Joe on TikTok - www.tiktok.com/@joekillinger

YouTube - www.youtube.com/c/JonathanGreeneRE/videos

Instagram - www.instagram.com/streamlinedproperties

Bigger Pockets - www.biggerpockets.com/users/TrustGreene

Episode Credits

279: Unlocking Value In Industrial Outdoor Storage with Blake Rodgers Sep 22, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan welcomes Blake Rodgers, co-founder and principal at Steel Peak. Blake specializes in industrial outdoor storage (IOS). This niche asset class includes contractor yards, equipment rental facilities, and bulk material sites across the Western U.S. He shares how his early experiences in real estate shaped his career, why IOS presents such a compelling opportunity, and how his firm is building a portfolio designed for long-term value.

Blake's journey from college football player to commercial broker and eventually principal investor highlights the power of mentorship, networking, and staying focused on a specific buy box. He explains how Steel Peak sources deals, why mom-and-pop owners often present the best opportunities, and how value is created through repositioning and leasing to long-term, sticky tenants. Jonathan and Blake also discuss the importance of partnerships, capital strategies, and building credibility with brokers in a specialized market.

If you've ever wondered about the potential of IOS properties or how niching down can accelerate growth, this conversation will give you a look at a less familiar but highly scalable investment path.

In this episode, you will hear:

Blake's journey from college athlete to co-founding Steel Peak
The influence of real estate clubs and internships on his career path
Distinctions between industrial outdoor storage and traditional industrial assets
Opportunities created by mom-and-pop ownership in this niche space
Building teams and partnerships to support long-term growth
Repositioning underutilized properties for national tenants
Tenant demand driven by construction, transportation, and utility sectors
Shifts from syndications to institutional capital as Steel Peak scales
The credibility that comes with niching down in a specialized market
Long-term value creation as the guiding principle for Steel Peak's portfolio

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Supporting Resources:

Steel Peak Properties website - steelpeakproperties.com

Blake Rodgers on Instagram - www.instagram.com/blakerodgers

Connect with Blake on LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/blakerodgers

YouTube - www.youtube.com/c/JonathanGreeneRE/videos

Instagram - www.instagram.com/streamlinedproperties

Bigger Pockets - www.biggerpockets.com/users/TrustGreene

Episode Credits

278: Learning How To Buy Cash-Flowing Self-Storage Facilities with Bree Hartman Sep 18, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan welcomes Bree Hartman, a former gym owner turned commercial real estate investor and the founder of Self Storage School. Bree shares how she shifted from running gyms to building a portfolio of self-storage facilities, and how this asset class can create time freedom, financial independence, and long-term cash flow.

She explains why self-storage is recession-resilient, how to find deals through simple tools like Google Maps, and why automation is transforming the way these facilities operate. Bree also breaks down how seller financing can make acquisitions more accessible, especially with mom-and-pop owners who represent a large share of the industry. From her first $3.1 million deal bought while pregnant to the systems she now teaches her students, Bree shows why self-storage can be an attractive path for investors seeking fewer headaches than traditional residential rentals.

Whether you're an active investor, someone burned out on residential rentals, or just curious about alternative commercial assets, this episode offers a blueprint for building cash-flowing self-storage businesses.

In this episode, you will hear:

Bree Hartman's journey from gym ownership to commercial real estate
Lessons she took from residential rentals before shifting to self-storage
Advantages of investing in recession-resistant storage facilities
How underperforming mom-and-pop operators create opportunities
Using Google Maps to uncover overlooked markets and deals
Seller financing strategies that benefit both buyers and sellers
The role of automation in boosting efficiency and NOI
How Self Storage School equips investors to close their first facility

Follow and Review:

Supporting Resources:

Self Storage School website - www.selfstorageschool.com

Bree Hartman's YouTube channel - www.youtube.com/@Bree.TheInvestor

Find Self Storage School on Facebook - www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61561220469166

Bree's Instagram - www.instagram.com/bree.theinvestor

Connect with Bree on LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/breannadupliseahartman

YouTube - www.youtube.com/c/JonathanGreeneRE/videos

Instagram - www.instagram.com/streamlinedproperties

Bigger Pockets - www.biggerpockets.com/users/TrustGreene

Episode Credits

277: How Multifamily Real Estate Creates Lifetime Cash Flow with Rod Khleif Sep 15, 2025

Show notes

Multifamily real estate has long been one of the most powerful vehicles for creating generational wealth and consistent cash flow.

In this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan welcomes Rod Khleif, entrepreneur, real estate investor, author, philanthropist, and host of the Lifetime Cash Flow Through Real Estate Investing podcast. Rod has owned thousands of multifamily units and guided his students to acquire more than 260,000 units. His perspective combines real-world investing experience with mindset mastery, making this conversation an essential listen for anyone serious about building lasting wealth in real estate.

Rod shares his journey from immigrating to the U.S. as a child and watching his mother succeed in real estate, to building and losing a $50 million portfolio during the 2008 crash, and ultimately regaining his footing. His emphasis on goal setting, mindset, and surrounding yourself with the right peer group reveals how resilience and determination can drive extraordinary success. Jonathan and Rod also examine the current multifamily market, highlighting both challenges and the opportunities ahead for disciplined investors.

Whether you're just starting or seeking to scale, Rod's story and strategies show why multifamily remains a cornerstone of wealth-building and how cultivating the right mindset can change everything.

In this episode, you will hear:

Goal setting and creating a burning desire as the foundation for success
The impact of clear decisions and consistent action
Strategies for pushing past limiting beliefs and fear
Why integrity and playing to your strengths matter in real estate investing
How the right peer group can accelerate results
The scalability of multifamily investing compared to single-family homes
The role of gratitude, contribution, and fulfillment in sustaining success

Follow and Review:

Supporting Resources:

Rod Khleif's website - rodkhleif.com

Rod on YouTube - www.youtube.com/RodKhleif

Find Rod on Facebook - www.facebook.com/rodkhleifofficial

Rod's Instagram - www.instagram.com/rod_khleif

Connect with Rod on LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/rodkhleif

Rod's Twitter/X - twitter.com/RodKhleif

YouTube - www.youtube.com/c/JonathanGreeneRE/videos

Instagram - www.instagram.com/streamlinedproperties

Bigger Pockets - www.biggerpockets.com/users/TrustGreene

Episode Credits

276: The Unique Passive Affordable Seller-Financing System with Emanuel Stafilidis Sep 11, 2025

Show notes

In today's episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan welcomes Emanuel Stafilidis, founder and chief investment strategist at Capable Capital. Emanuel introduces listeners to the PASS system, which stands for Passive Affordable Seller-Financing System. With over 30 years of real estate experience, he has built a strategy around acquiring moderately priced homes, structuring seller-financed deals, and creating long-term, stable income streams for investors while helping buyers achieve homeownership.

Emanuel explains why seller financing offers a compelling alternative to traditional rentals. By targeting homes under $100,000, often under $60,000, he creates opportunities for buyers who conventional lenders underserve. Seller financing not only provides affordability but also encourages buyers to take pride in their homes, reducing turnover and maintenance costs for investors. Emanuel and Jonathan discuss the importance of market selection, landlord-friendly states, and the stability of this approach compared to the variability of rental property management.

Throughout the conversation, Emanuel shares his personal journey, including early struggles with money management, lessons learned from decades of investing, and the critical role mentorship played in his growth. He highlights how PASS benefits both investors and buyers, bridging the gap in markets where banks often refuse to lend on lower-priced properties. The episode also explores how Capable Capital provides options for direct property investment or fund participation, making this strategy accessible to both seasoned and passive investors.

Tune in to hear how Emanuel's PASS framework is helping investors build wealth while opening doors to homeownership for families across the country.

In this episode, you will hear:

The PASS framework and how it generates true passive income
Why moderately priced housing creates opportunities that traditional lenders ignore
How seller financing reduces turnover and shifts maintenance responsibility to buyers
The role of landlord-friendly states in supporting this investment model
Emanuel's lessons on money management and the value of mentorship in real estate success
How seller financing fills a market gap where banks won't lend on lower-priced homes
The importance of building a strong network and mentorship to scale a real estate strategy

Follow and Review:

Supporting Resources:

Capable Capital website - www.capablecapital.net

Capable Capital on YouTube - www.youtube.com/@capablecapital

Emanuel Stafilidis on Facebook - www.facebook.com/emanuel.stafilidis.33

Emanuel's Instagram - www.instagram.com/capable_capital

Connect with Emanuel on LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/emanuelstafilidis

Emanuel's Twitter/X - x.com/manuest2

Company LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/company/capablecapital-net

Company Facebook - www.facebook.com/capablecapital.net

Capable Capital Investor Introduction - calendar.app.google/H5vJh2yyFEDs5zL3A

YouTube - www.youtube.com/c/JonathanGreeneRE/videos

Instagram - www.instagram.com/streamlinedproperties

Bigger Pockets - www.biggerpockets.com/users/TrustGreene

Episode Credits

275: Leveraging Multifamily Real Estate For Long-Term Growth with Kent Ritter Sep 08, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan welcomes Kent Ritter, CEO and founder of Hudson Investing. Kent's path into real estate began after selling his healthcare consulting business, which left him looking for ways to diversify his capital. Starting as a passive investor in multifamily syndications, he eventually transitioned into active investing, experimenting with house flipping and single-family rentals before fully committing to multifamily. In 2019, he launched Hudson Investing, a firm focused on building wealth through multifamily syndications with a strong presence in the Midwest.

Jonathan and Kent explore the turning points in Kent's career, including his decision to bring property management in-house. Kent explains how frustration with third-party managers pushed him to create his own team, which improved operational control, reduced turnover costs, and allowed him to align company culture with resident experience. They also discuss renovation strategies, with Kent emphasizing the importance of investing in upgrades residents use every day, such as faucets, thermostats, and cabinet pulls, while balancing affordability and return on investment.

The conversation also touches on the advantages of focusing on Midwest markets, where Hudson Investing has found consistent demand and steady fundamentals. Kent highlights the value of building a strong investor community, noting that transparency, education, and shared opportunities foster long-term success.

For both passive and active investors, this episode shows how thoughtful leadership, strategic decisions, and multifamily real estate can create reliable, long-term growth.

In this episode, you will hear:

Kent's transition from healthcare consulting to real estate investing
Lessons he gained as a passive investor before becoming an operator
The benefits of bringing property management in-house
Renovation strategies that balance affordability with meaningful upgrades
How reducing turnover drives stronger property performance
The value of curb appeal and amenities alongside interior finishes
Opportunities found in Midwest multifamily markets
The role of community and investor alignment in scaling a portfolio
Tax strategies that can improve investment outcomes

Follow and Review:

Supporting Resources:

Hudson Investing website - www.hudsoninvesting.com

Find Kent Ritter on Instagram - www.instagram.com/ritteronrealestate

Connect with Kent on LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/kentritter

YouTube - www.youtube.com/c/JonathanGreeneRE/videos

Instagram - www.instagram.com/streamlinedproperties

Bigger Pockets - www.biggerpockets.com/users/TrustGreene